HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-16 Meridian Planning and Zoning Meeting October 16, 2025.
Meeting of the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission of October 16, 2025, was
called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chairman Maria Lorcher.
Members Present: Commissioner Maria Lorcher, Commissioner Jared Smith,
Commissioner Brian Garrett, Commissioner Jessica Perreault and Commissioner
Matthew Stoll.
Members Absent: Commissioner Matthrew Sandoval and Commissioner Sam Rust.
Others Present: Tina Lomeli, Kurt Starman, Caleb Hood, Nick Napoli and Dean Willis.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
_X Brian Garrett X Jessica Perrault
Matthew Sandoval X Matthew Stoll
Sam Rust X Jared Smith
X Maria Lorcher - Chairman
Lorcher: All right. Good evening. Welcome to the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting for October 16th, 2025. At this time I would like to call the meeting to order.
The Commissioners who are present this evening are at City Hall. We may have a
participant on Zoom, but he can join us if -- if and when he arrives. We also have staff
from the city attorney and the city clerk's office, as well as the city's planning
department. If you are joining us on Zoom this evening we can see that you are here.
You may observe the meeting, however, your ability to be seen on screen and talk will
be muted. During the public testimony portion of the meeting you will be unmuted and,
then, be able to comment. Please note we cannot take questions until the public
testimony portion of the meeting. If you have a process question during the meeting
please e-mail cityclerk@meridiancity.org and they will reply as quickly as possible. If
you simply want to watch the meeting we encourage you to watch this streaming on the
city's YouTube channel. You can access it at meridiancity.org/live. With that let's begin
with roll call. Madam Clerk.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Lorcher: The first item on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda. There are no
changes to tonight's agenda, but please note that Borough Village has requested a
continuance. So, if there is anyone here tonight to testify on this application we will not
be taking public testimony. Could I get a motion to adopt tonight's agenda?
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
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October 16,2025
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Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to adopt tonight's agenda. All those in favor
say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
1. Approve Minutes of the October 2, 2025 Planning and Zoning
Commission Meeting
Lorcher: Next item on the agenda is the Consent Agenda, which is to approve the
minutes of the October 2nd Planning and Zoning meeting. Could I get a motion to
accept the Consent Agenda as presented?
Stoll: Move to approve.
Smith: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and -- and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. All
those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
ITEMS MOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
Lorcher: At this time I would briefly like to explain the public -- the public hearing
process. We will open each item individually and begin with the staff report. Staff will
report their findings on how the item adheres to our Comprehensive Plan and our
Unified Development Code. After staff has made their presentation the applicant will
come forward to present their case and respond to staff comments and they will have
15 minutes to do so. After the applicant is finished we will open the floor to public
testimony. Each person will be called only once during public testimony. The clerk will
call the names individually of those who have signed up on our website in advance to
testify. You may come to the microphones in Chambers or you will be unmuted on
Zoom. Please state your name and address for the record and you will have three
minutes to address the Commission. If you have previously sent pictures or a
presentation for the meeting it will be displayed on screen and our clerk will help you run
the presentation. If you have established that you are speaking on the behalf of a larger
group, like an HOA, where others from that group will allow you to speak on their behalf,
you will have up to ten minutes. After all those who have signed up in advance have
spoken we will -- we will invite any others who wish to testify. If you wish to speak on a
topic you may come forward in Chambers. If on Zoom you may press the raise hand
button. Or if you are only listening on the phone press star nine and wait for your name
to be called. If you are listening on multiple devices, such as a computer and a
telephone, please be sure to mute those extra devices so we don't experience feedback
and we can hear you clearly. When you are finished if the Commission does not have
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October 16,2025
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questions for you you will return to your seat in Chambers or be muted on Zoom and no
longer have the ability to speak. And please remember we will not call on you a second
time. After all testimony has been heard the applicant will be given another ten minutes
to respond. When the applicant has finished responding to questions and concerns we
will close the public hearing and the Commissioners will have an opportunity to discuss
and hopefully make a final decision or recommendations to City Council.
ACTION ITEMS
2. Public Hearing for Borough Village (H-2025-0037) by Engineering
Solutions, LLP., located at 1250 E. Everest St.
A. Request: Modified Development Agreement to the existing
development agreement (Inst. #105152707 Westborough Square)
to update the use (from office to residential) and development plan
for the site and enter into a new agreement for the subject property.
B. Request: Rezone of 3.04 acres of land from the L-O to the R-15
zoning district
C. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of three (3) buildable lots and
three (3) common/other lots on 2.81 acres of land.
D. Request: Planned Unit Modification to the approved PUD (CUP-05-
027) to update the development plan for the site from six (6) office
buildings to 18 multi-family residential dwelling units and two (2)
single-family residential dwelling units.
E. Request: Director Approval of alternative compliance to UDC 11-
3B-7C.1 c to not provide street buffer landscaping along E. Chinden
Blvd., adjacent to the site due to the location of the 10-foot wall
constructed by ITD with the roadway expansion.
Lorcher: With that in mind we are going to open Item No. 20 -- or, excuse me, No. 2,
Item No. 2025-0037, for Borough Village has requested continuance. Madam Clerk, do
we have a suggested date for that continuance?
Lomeli: Thank you, Madam Chair. We have November 20th.
Lorcher: May I get a motion to continue the application?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I move to continue Item No. H-2025-0037 to the date of November 20th.
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Perreault: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to continue Borough Village for November
20th. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
3. Public Hearing for Ada County Sheriff's Office Training Center (H-
2025-0043) by Ada County Sheriff's, located at 2568 E. Lenark St.
A. Request: Conditional Use Permit to operate a quasi-public (Ada
County Sheriffs Office/Training Center) in three (3) existing
industrial tenant spaces on 11.13 acres of land in the I-L zoning
district.
Lorcher: Item No. 3 on the agenda 2025-0043 is for a conditional use permit for the
Ada County Sheriff to operate a training -- training office and training center and we will
begin with the staff report. Nick.
Napoli: Good evening, Madam Chair, Members of the Commission. The next item on
the agenda is the conditional use permit for the Ada County Sheriff's Office Training
Center. So, the applicant is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a quasi-
public use in the form of the Ada County Sheriffs Office Training Center in three existing
industrial tenant spaces on 11.13 acres of land in I-L zoning district. The site is located
at 2568 East Lanark Street and as shown on the screen the existing zoning is I-L or light
industrial and the FLUM designation is industrial. The purpose of the industrial
designation is to allow for a range of uses that support industrial and commercial
activities. Industrial uses may include warehouses, storage units, light manufacturing,
flex space and some ancillary office uses. So, this is the existing site plan as it currently
sits and the Ada County Sheriff's Office intends to use this space for offices, training
space and a gym. The narrative indicates that the addition of this space would allow --
would allow for additional training to keep up with demand for new recruits and
continued training. While the proposed use is not what is envisioned in the I-L zoning
district, staff believes it provides an expansion of a vital service to the community near a
major state highway. A minimum of one off-street parking space is required per 2,000
square feet of gross floor area. The applicant is proposing to exceed this parking
requirement by adding 77 new parking stalls to the property and they will be pulling a
permit for this in the next stages if approved tonight and, then, access is existing off of
East Lanark Street, an industrial collector. There are currently six curb cuts that lead to
access to different parts of the building. The applicant is not proposing to change any of
these access points that were approved back in 2006. So, staff is recommending
approval of this application, has not received any written testimony and I will stand for
your questions.
Lorcher: Is the applicant here? Would you like to come up and speak? Hi. If you can
state your name and address for the record that would be great.
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Navest: Good evening. My name is Matt Navest. I'm a lieutenant for the Ada County
Sheriff's Office. Would you like my home address or my work address?
Lorcher: Your home address -- oh, no. You know what, let's stay with work. You don't
need your home address.
Navest: Work address would be 7200 Barrister Drive in Boise.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you. Anything else you would like to add to Nick's presentation?
Navest: That's it. He did a fine job.
Lorcher: Okay. And so this is a new training center for your staff?
Navest: Correct. Not only for our academies -- we hold three academies a year, but
also for our in-service training and continuing education for our deputies and
professional staff.
Lorcher: And how come we use the term quasi-training or whatever it was? Quasi --
does that mean like the public can't go or is it because that -- everybody is part of the or the staff?
Napoli: Madam Chair, it's a good question. So, yes, in our code really police stations,
those type of precincts, those type of things, do fall into what we call a quasi-public or
public space, because technically it is a public space, but there is restrictions to that that
can be required by the Ada County Sheriff, so --
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioners, do we have any questions for the sheriff's
department?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: Yeah. Thank you. Just out of curiosity. Curious. So, this says the actual space
is kind of talked about as office and training space and gym. I'm curious what kind of --
like envisioning the training space, is there any outdoor training envisioned? Is there
anything around that or what kind of training are we talking about?
Navest: So, a majority of the training that will be done at the site will be classroom and,
then, also mat room, so defensive tactics, arrest and control techniques and, then, we
also have a modular wall system that we can create different floor plans with that we
can teach like building search and interior building search. We can also use the parking
lot to conduct like traffic stop scenarios and that type of training.
Lorcher: Okay. Anything else? All right. Thank you very much.
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Navest: Thank you.
Lorcher: Madam Clerk, do we have anybody who would wish to testify on this
application?
Lomeli: Thank you, Madam Chair. I have Mikaela Rowland.
Lorcher: Mikaela, did you want to comment on the Ada County Sheriff? No? Okay.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, no one else has signed up.
Lorcher: And you have concluded your comments, so you are good before we close the
public hearing? Okay. May I get a motion to close the public hearing, please?
Smith: So moved.
Garrett: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for the Ada County
Sheriff's Training Center. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Lorcher: I think anytime we offer or make available space for law enforcement to be
able to improve their -- their job and work with the public is always a welcome thing,
especially here in the City of Meridian. So, you know, it seems like a good spot. There
is plenty of room. They are taking three different retail spaces to -- like he said to be
able to modulate it to offer different kinds of scenarios. I don't see any challenges with
this application. Anybody else would like to comment?
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: After considering all staff and applicant and public testimony I move to approve
-- I move to recommend approval -- sorry. No. I move to --
Lorcher: It's a CUP.
Smith: Sorry.
Lorcher: You are good.
Smith: Start over. After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony I move to
approve File No. H-2025-0043 as presented in the staff report.
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Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve File No. H-2025-0043. All those in
favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
4. Public Hearing for Meridian LUXE (H-2025-0035) by Mary Wall,
located at 2350 W. McMillan Rd.
A. Request: Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to change the
future land use designation from Office to Commercial.
B. Request: Rezone from the L-O zoning to the C-C zoning district on
5.99 acres of land.
C. Request: Development Agreement Modification to create a new DA
with a new concept plan.
D. Request: Conditional Use Permit for a Self-Service Storage Facility
in the C-C zoning district.
Lorcher: Okay. Moving right along. Item 4 on the agenda is application number H-
2025-0035 for a Comprehensive Plan map amendment, a rezone, a development
agreement modification and a conditional use permit for Meridian LUXE on McMillan
Road and we will begin with the staff report.
Napoli: Madam Chair, Members of the Commission, next item on the agenda is the
Comprehensive Plan map amendment, rezone, conditional use permit and development
agreement modification for Meridian LUXE. The applicant requests a Comprehensive
Plan map amendment to change the future land use designation from office to
commercial zone from L-O to the C-C zoning district across 5.99 acres of land. A
development agreement modification to remove the property from a current DA to
create a new DA that includes a new concept plan and elevations and a conditional use
permit for self-service storage facility in the C-C zoning district. The site is located at
2350 West McMillan Road. As shown on the screen the existing zoning is L-O or a
limited office designation and the FLUM is office. This is the rezone exhibit. So, the
Comprehensive Plan defines office land use designation as a low impact business area.
The uses allowed in this typically include professional offices, technology and resource
centers. Ancillary commercial uses may also be considered. The Comprehensive Plan
also defines a commercial land use designation as a full range of uses that serve area
residents and visitors. Desired uses include retail, restaurants, personal and
professional service and office uses, as well as appropriate public and quasi-public
uses. This is the original -- the overall original concept plan back from 2003 as a part of
the Kelly Creek Subdivision. All the residential out here is depicted -- has been
constructed and this was what was contemplated for the site that's in question tonight.
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Here is a little bit more of a closer image for that. So -- I apologize. So, it was
anticipated to be 37,000 square feet of office space across ten buildings. So, this is
what the previous concept plan had envisioned for this property and why it was given
the L-O zoning back in 2003. So, the proposed concept plan, the applicant is proposing
18 commercial multi-tenant units across four buildings, totaling 24,336 square feet of
commercial space on the western portion of the site and 41 privately owned storage
condos or a self-service storage facility across five buildings totaling 54,000 square feet
on the eastern portion of the site. The applicant has indicated that the primary uses for
the commercial buildings is intended to be flex space. However, the C-C zoning district
does allow other uses in that as well. Due to the proximity to the residential -- the
existing residential surrounding the property hours of operation will be restricted from
6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for all uses on the site as required in the UDC. In addition, the
applicant is proposing to sell the storage portion of the site as individual units, which will
require a short plat at a later time if approved. Staff is evaluating the western portion of
the site using commercial parking standards and not the flex space parking standards.
The commercial parking standards are one space per five -- every 500 square feet of
gross floor area, which requires 49 spaces and the applicant has provided -- provided
55 which exceeds that. If it was the flex space standards it would have been one space
per one thousand square feet, instead of 500, which would have only required about 25
spaces, which is why we went with the more restrictive parking in this case, because
there is -- the users aren't chosen at this time. So, while the parking exceeds the
minimum, staff is concerned -- this may not be enough for high intensity uses. With 18
tenant spaces that's roughly three spaces per tenant, sufficient for low office or retail
uses, but inadequate for uses like restaurants, drive-throughs or indoor recreation. So,
to help mitigate these concerns staff recommend restricting the following high intensity
uses within the development, restaurants, drive-throughs, indoor arts, entertainment
and recreation facilities. This approach is intended to enhance the site's long-term
viability for ensuring tenants have adequate access for both customers and employees.
Access is proposed off of McMillan Road through a single curb cut. This -- this access
will require a City Council waiver. So, City Council will be deciding whether to approve
that access point or not, because it is to an arterial roadway. With this they also are
proposing the extension of Lolo Pass as a form of a commercial drive aisle connect with
the access off McMillan Road, which is required and was contemplated in the original
concept plan for the development back in 2003. It did show that extending, just not in
the same location. The location did change over some of the phases of the residential
phases. So, ACHD anticipates 77 trips per day for the storage and 55 for the multi-
tenant commercial. The total anticipated trip generation is approximately 132 trips per
day, which is considered adequate according to ACHD's standards and according to
ACHD McMillan can handle the additional traffic that this would create. The applicant is
providing a 25 foot landscape buffer to all existing residential uses. After the site -- or
after inspecting the site staff observed the existing fence on the north boundary of the
site. It's approximately four feet in height. I couldn't measure it exactly precisely, but I
observed and it's not a six foot fence it does not appear and appears to be closer to the
four foot in height. As a result of this staff is -- staff is recommending a four foot berm
with trees that touch within five years of planting on top of the berm. Since the staff
report, however, staff did talk with the applicant and the applicant did propose
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potentially putting up an eight foot fence with vegetation meeting the UDC standards
instead of the berm. Staff is open to this approach, but would like to hear public
testimony tonight and what the commission thinks about potentially changing that
condition in the staff report. So, staff is recommending approval with conditions, a new
development agreement and provisions and has received written testimony from Laurel
Bower with concerns about increased traffic, safety, noise, parking and decreased
property values. In addition we received written testimony from Scott Meeks, Ora
Cortez, with concerns regarding increased traffic, lack of parking within the plan that
may spill out into the residential, noise, hours of operation and if approved they request
a ten foot sound wall on the north boundary and hours of operation to be restricted to
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. And I will stand for any questions at this time.
Lorcher: I do have a few questions. So, the city is suggesting a four foot berm with
trees on that northern boundary and is that to keep that four foot fence there as well?
That's in addition to the four foot fence that's already there?
Napoli: Madam Chair, that is correct.
Lorcher: Okay. And then -- but the developer is suggesting an eight foot fence with no
-- with no landscaping; is that correct?
Napoli: It would still meet the UDC requirements for landscaping for -- for trees that
touch within five years of planting. Correct, that would still be a requirement.
Lorcher: Okay. So, they are suggesting an eight foot fence --
Napoli: In lieu of the berm.
Lorcher: -- in place of the four foot fence, but still trees to have a inter-connecting
canopy within five years.
Napoli: Yes, ma'am. That's the conversation we had. Correct.
Lorcher: Okay. Does anybody -- other Commissioners have questions for Nick before
we invite the application -- applicant to come forward? All right. Would the applicant
like to come forward?
Jones: Good evening, Madam Chair, Commissioners. It says I'm Mary Hall, but I'm
not. Mary's back -- Mary Hall is back there.
Lorcher: Okay.
Jones: But I'm going to stand. My name is Natalie Jones and the address is 2205
Mace Road, Eagle, Idaho. 83616.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you.
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Jones: And I want to stand and first say thanks to Nick. He's been exceptional to work
with. So, we are really grateful for how that process has gone so far. Much of what I
have put in this presentation Nick has covered, so we will move through some of these
slides quickly. Meridian LUXE is the development we are proposing tonight. I stand on
behalf -- on behalf of the land owner. Simply a table of contents for Commissioners if
you decide to go back through this presentation. Our project summary, as Nick stated,
this is why I'm standing here tonight. We have got a -- we are requesting a
Comprehensive Plan map amendment from office to commercial. We are looking for a
rezone from limited office, L-O, to community business district C-C, while also
requesting conditional use permit for the proposed storage and also a development
agreement modification. As Nick shared, this is the future land use map. Our project is
outlined and highlighted there in yellow and I wanted to put this on the screen to show
the commercial and the office as already designated for -- on this future land use map
on both sides of our property. So, you can see quite clearly that there is commission --
excuse me -- commercial and office already book ending sort of both sides of where we
are. What I wish I would have put on this slide or the next slide is actually a -- an aerial
view so you could see that our piece is actually the only undeveloped piece that
remains on McMillan here on this stretch. So, it will be a beautiful thing to finish up
what's been happening there on McMillan. So, we are excited. So, the proposed
change to the future land use map designation will expand options for development
here in Meridian. As Nick shared, the existing designation is office, which includes
professional office, technology and resource centers. Our hope to move to the
commercial will create a greater range of what we are allowed to put in those spaces,
including retail, personal and professional services office uses, as well as appropriate
public and quasi-public uses. I think this slide is important. I did a search on
commercial real estate marketing platforms and you can see the slide on the left is a
search in all of Meridian, Idaho, for lease for office or co-working space. So, every red
flag you see there is an available current listing for office or co-working space. The
slide to the right is the same search, obviously, again, in Meridian for anything for lease
for flex and there is one current listing. That lease -- or that listing I don't think actually
has been constructed yet. I think it's Building B and it looks beautiful. It looks like an
amazing project. But if someone is searching for flex in Meridian there is clearly some
limited availability out there. Here is the zoning map. Again, you can see us right there
in the middle with that L-O designation and, then, again, as -- I think this ties in well to
the slide that we were just on and it shows where the office is in comparison to our
project. So, there is office around us and there is office that's available. So, we don't
believe that there is necessarily a shortage of office, which is why we like the idea of
moving this to more of a commercial and flex opportunity. So, the proposed change to
the zoning designation will, again, as I mentioned expand options for development. The
limited office is for office centers and adaptive reuse of residential structures with limited
hours of operation. The community business district, which is our hope will allow us
again to include self-storage facilities, flex space and retail and more. So, what
Meridian needs. I don't pretend to stand up here and tell you as the Commissioners
what the city needs, but in my observation what we could bring to Meridian that would
satisfy some of the needs are, one, neighborhood retail. We know that Meridian is
growing rapidly and I think there is a demand for walkable, like I said, neighborhood
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retail. So, what we have seen in the vacancy in commercial real estate is less than one
percent for retail, which tells us it's booming and there is an unmet need. We could
create more retail and we could see that improve the community and, then, also last
mile logistics or flex. Again we can go back to a couple of slides prior to this where
there is no flex. There is no option for these small businesses. We will talk about the
storage units in a minute, but you can't use storage for some of these small business
purposes. So, there is a need for flex for someone who has a small business and wants
a storefront, also needs a warehouse and perhaps can't go and get an industrial space
in addition to office. So, that's what the flex would provide here. Expected users for the
flex portion of this development. Here are a couple that I know recently have gone into
flex spaces, kitchen tune up, interior design. This is a popular one where a storefront or
a showroom would be beautiful to bring customers in. They see the furniture that's
available, but behind that front presentation space is a warehouse where that business
owner could, then, store the furniture that comes in and out before staging a space.
Beard Wax manufacture, some of these very small manufacturing businesses, Clean
Users, Comic Books and Games, again, someplace with a beautiful storefront that
invites people to come in, but a place in the back for not only an office, but for storage
and warehousing. Wood floor installer, showroom, warehouse and promotional
products. So, all of these small businesses would really benefit and these are exactly
those businesses that are looking currently for flex space. The conditional use permit
requests for storage condos, the integration of these luxury -- I think that's important to
mention. These are luxury stories -- excuse me -- storage condos. These aren't your
typical 90 square foot storage units that you have seen a lot here in Idaho, but it does fit
the zoning intent. It benefits the community. We know it will be well managed and
beautiful. The storage specifically will be owner occupied within this commercial
development. It serves local businesses and hobbyists and contractors. So, like I said,
you can't run a business out of these storage units. However, those -- those that just
need storage or perhaps someone who has boats or cars or specific hobbies, this would
be a perfect solution for them if they don't have enough room in their homes. You -- you
understand. And it's architecturally integrated with the surrounding uses and the flex
that we are bringing. Those will marry really nicely together, which we will see in the
renderings coming up. So, why we think this conditional use fits in Meridian? It is low
traffic, which we will talk about. I understand the neighbors are concerned and we will
address that for sure. It's low impact and it will be quiet operations. It does support
small business, local ownership and investment and, then, it will be visually appealing.
Nick shared this. This was the 2003 approved site plan. This is the 2025 proposed site
plan. Nick showed another version of this. So, the flex is to the west. The storage is to
the east. So, traffic -- I imagine we will have some -- some others stand up and talk
about this and I'm happy to address what I know about it. So, Nick shared that the 132
daily trips that was shared in the traffic study, 77 of those were attributed to the storage
units, but I think what's really important to point out is that that rate assumes an average
storage -- storage unit size, as I mentioned, of those small 90 square foot units. So, if
we put the 90 square foot units into the square footage we are proposing for this
storage project we would actually have 550 units. So, what we are proposing is simply
41 larger luxury storage condos. So, if we -- if we run the math off the number of units,
then, we actually get down to six trips per day. So, I know sometimes that's -- it feels
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scary to have maybe storage, but if you really look at these numbers and imagine 41
individual owners, hopefully, that eases a little concern about the traffic coming in and
out. They won't be the 550 units that are used for this initial calculation. Hopefully that
makes sense. Parking. Nick did mention that we have met the standard and I think 49
spots were required. As it sits right now there are 55 parking spaces, but this site plan
does allow us to adjust, so we could reduce the drive aisle width. We can move that
center parking island to the south and, then, I have highlighted a couple of places where
we could put additional parallel parking. Again, I understand the neighbor's concern.
They don't want overflow into the residential. We don't want that either. So, we could
potentially put another seven or eight parking spots here, which only increases the delta
between what's required and what we are able to provide here. So, again, we have got
the opportunity here to create more parking. Privacy and compatibility. Nick mentioned
this as well. We did talk and go through an option. We would like to replace the
existing five foot fence. We know it's five feet. With a ten foot fence -- or, excuse me,
an eight foot fence. Sorry. Didn't mean to scare anybody. An eight foot fence. So, that
would be the buffer between the residential and the commercial. I believe it would end
on the east side where the pathway would connect. I don't have a specific slide on the
pathway, but we did also incorporate the ten foot path on the front of this project as is
required. So, we are excited about that. Here are the renderings. This is what we want
the site to look like. So, these two in particular are on the flex. The larger photo would
be from within the parking lot. So, this is looking into these spaces. You can see they
are quite lovely. And, then, the picture on the bottom would be from McMillan. So,
again, it definitely has that retail feel. It's got those man doors that, obviously, welcome
neighbors to come in and, then, the slide here -- this is the storage, so you can see that
they marry again nicely with the flex you are continuing with those colors and those
materials. Both of these images are from McMillan. So, this is what you would see if
you were looking onto the project. So, project summary. City benefits. Hopefully I
have touched on most of the concerns that have -- that you Commissioners may have,
as well as the neighbors, but we really believe that this project meets the growth needs
for the city. We think it drives the local economy. It does support small businesses. It
creates jobs. We think it's low impact and high function and we are really excited about
it. We hope you are too. I will stand for questions.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: Yeah. Thank you. Are there any restrictions that you are intending on imposing
on the actual storage unit uses? If I'm -- I want to do construction or something as, you
know, build -- build things inside of my -- you know, my unit. Are there restrictions or --
or noise mitigation for say if I want to run a drill for -- or, you know, saws or something
for a significant period of time? I was curious about what your --
Jones: That's a great question. I probably would have to defer to Mary on this one. I
know she can stand and speak to that. But, yes, I think that there are clearly some
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restrictions to the uses that we put in there. I don't want to misspeak and say that I
know for sure, but I would love to allow Mary to come up and speak to that.
Lorcher: Want Mary to answer the question?
Smith: That would be great. Yes.
Lorcher: Please state your name and address for the record.
Burnett: Brian Burnett. 1125 West Two Rivers Lane, Eagle, Idaho. I'm the co-
developer on this, but we just finished the high end storage units Eagle LUXE, instead
of Meridian LUXE, on Highway 16 and, yes, we have covenants and restrictions, just
like the ones in Eagle, and you are not allowed to run a business out of it, so you can
store things in it. Most people are going to make it -- honestly make them into man
caves and hang out there. They are probably going to store their high end cars and
their high end boats, but -- and we do have -- we do have covenants. I don't have a
copy of them on me, but they do restrict people from having -- operating businesses.
This is why we know there is a demand for flex, because we have got so many people
come to us and say we need to run our business out of there and we really can't, so the
convents restrict business usage, unless it's just to store. So, if we get a pool guy and
he wants to store supplies in there and come and get them that's fine, but he can't run a
business and he can't have customers come in and have customer facing and so it
really limits the ability to do any -- we don't allow production there. We had some food
truck guys that wanted to go in there and vent them and he had to stop that, so we kind
of try to restrict any -- any type of business activity that is, you know, building things,
especially if there is noise. I think we used the city's noise ordinances in the covenants,
so that for the neighbors and everything, so it's in the CC&Rs. I don't have a copy of
those, but we would be happy to taken them if there is certain business you don't want
in there. But that's strictly why we have the flex next to it.
Smith: Thank you. Yeah, Madam Chair. My -- my thought was storing a boat in there
and say I want to modify something on the boat or something like that, is -- are there
any limitations, even as a hobbyist or using certain power tools or something like -- you
know.
Burnett: Yeah. There is -- Commissioner, there is no restriction against power tools
and doing things on your own personal things. We do have restrictions I know in the
existing one, because a lot of car enthusiasts will start like a mechanic shop and start
pulling in their buddies' cars and so we have covenants against that where people are
operating on cars that aren't theirs, even if it's just as changing oil. So, definitely
restrictive covenants. They are designed to be super high end, so --
Smith: Thank you.
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Lorcher: Just out of curiosity, without putting you into a corner, what do you expect the
-- the retail price for one of these car -- or, you know, storage condos would be? Just
ballpark.
Burnett: The ones, you know, down on Highway 16 -- so those we have kind of a -- we
have a lot of different sizes.
Lorcher: Okay.
Burnett: Again, we have a lot of different features. These will have water and sewer in
them, so like I said, they end up being a man cave. They can put a toilet in there. They
can't put a shower or anything that -- where you can live in it -- make it a livable
dwelling. Usually there is a car lift. They are about 180 dollars a square foot. So,
anywhere -- depending on size -- from 68,000 dollars up to 300,000 dollars if you want
to put two together and have 2,000 feet; so --
Lorcher: Okay.
Burnett: Yeah. So, pretty expensive.
Lorcher: All right.
Burnett: But they are priced -- they are expensive and so you usually don't get people
who are breaking the rules and trying to run, you know, small businesses out of them.
Lorcher: Right. Okay. Commissioners, do we have any questions for the applicant?
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: I have two or three questions if that's okay.
Lorcher: Sure.
Perreault: Okay. So, curious if this is accessible by large trucks and how large those
trucks might be. It seems like it's kind of a tight angle to get in there and I would
imagine people are going to have furniture delivered. Maybe you have a stager that
wants to bring some pretty sizable vehicles in to make deliveries. Can you -- can you
share about that, how that access will work?
Lorcher: Yeah. Go ahead.
Burnett: Sure. I will take that on. It's restricted. The one that we have an Eagle, you
know, we have people who want to do storage units and just store furniture and we
don't let any semis in there. It's basically just box trucks. So, you know, the smaller box
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trucks, almost like a U-Haul you would rent to pack your furniture in and leave. So, it's
restricted to that. I don't think you -- the access inside of here, even to get into that flex
space, will not allow larger trucks to get in there.
Perreault: And so the same for -- same for the commercial condo users, then, they are
not going to be bringing in large delivery vehicles?
Burnett: That's correct.
Perreault: I want to chat about the entrance on McMillan. You didn't address this, but
has ACHD -- you are making a request to -- to close off that access. Has ACHD limited
that on a right-in, right-out and can you share with us why you want to close that access
off?
Burnett: I would probably refer to Mary, the engineer, for that.
Lorcher: Come on up. We got plenty of room.
Jones: This is a team effort.
Lorcher: Absolutely. If you could just state your name and address for the record that
would be great.
Wall: Mary Wall. 5636 North Portsmouth Avenue in Boise. I'm not clear on your
question. You -- you said closing off that access?
Perreault: Yes. Our staff report says that there is a request to close the access from
McMillan.
Wall: No, not to close it. To -- to -- to -- to allow it.
Perreault: To allow it.
Wall: For you guys to allow it. ACHD --
Perreault: I apologize. You closed it.
Wall: -- is -- is good with the access --
Perreault: Uh-huh.
Wall: -- the one access. They had us line it up with Palantine Way across the street
and based on their numbers and everything I -- it is not going to be a restricted access.
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Perreault: Okay. So, is there -- has there been any consideration made of having Lolo
-- Lolo Pass Way be just emergency access only and have all other access come in
from McMillan?
Wall: We haven't talked about that, because they had asked for it to be a continuous
road. Part of -- when we started working on the development and working with city staff
they wanted the continuation -- the connection to the north, as well as to McMillan
Road. So, we haven't talked about that. We did design it, so that it was like people
wouldn't be so inclined to go up into the neighborhood. So, we did -- did try to do that,
try to discourage people from wanting to go through the neighborhood to get to anything
in the commercial area, other than the neighbors maybe wanting to come down.
Perreault: Thank you. Just one more question.
Wall: Okay.
Perreault: Some of the testimony has -- has addressed limited hours of delivery, limited
hours of operation. Is that something that you would consider putting in the DA? I
assume the commercial condo users probably close up by 8:00. So, can you address
that, please?
Burnett: Yeah. I don't see a problem with that -- with restricted hours. I don't think
anybody's going to -- or there isn't any reason for anything. We -- we are already
restricting it for high uses and high traffic, like restaurants and things shouldn't be in
there. It should be interior design studios, you know -- you know, customer facing
where two customers pull up, show them their stuff, they leave, you show them the back
-- into the house where they have product. So, I don't -- I don't see a problem with that.
I don't think -- I don't think that's a big deal.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you.
Stoll: Madam Chair, if I may.
Lorcher: Commissioner Stoll.
Stoll: Just to follow up on the issue of noise with the storage condos. So, there is
nothing that you have in place or proposing to have in place to limit somebody that's
working on their car from working on their car at 1:00 a.m. at their location?
Jones: I think the entire project is limited -- I think currently from -- is it 6:00 to 6:00? Or
6:00 --
Lorcher: 6:00 to 11:00.
Jones: To 11:00 p.m. And I think what Commissioner -- oh, boy.
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Perreault: Perreault.
Jones: Perreault -- was saying that someone else wrote in and said they want to restrict
those hours from 8:00 to 8:00.
Stoll: Does that apply to the --
Jones: That's a request.
Stoll: But that applies to the flex space. I'm talking about the storage units that are
privately owned, some used by hobbyists and wanting to work on their cars. Is there
any limitation on them --
Lorcher: Hanging out until --
Stoll: -- hanging out, music blasting, working on the car loudly.
Burnett: I mean, Commissioners, I don't believe -- I believe in the Highway 16 storage
that we built there are hours of operation and after those hours you have to have your
doors closed. You know, most of the time if the door is closed -- these door are,
obviously, highly insulated. These are all completely insulated units with fire barrier
walls, so you can have water and sewer and all that and the pipes don't freeze. So, AR
-- I'm not going to say soundproof, but when you close the doors you probably can't
hear inside the units. So, we would probably do that through the CC&Rs to restrict
anything after 6:00 o'clock at night or 8:00 o'clock at night to be your doors closed if you
are inside of your unit. That's probably how I would solve that.
Wall: You also said that CC&Rs comply with the city --
Burnett: Correct. And, then, the CC&Rs do comply with the noise ordinances that you
guys already have in the city. So, if there is a problem and someone's using their
storage unit too late and there is a complaint we will, obviously, have to address that.
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: So, who is the primary enforcement entity there? It sounds like there might
be a staff person on site for the storage condos, but after hours is it -- is there like an
association?
Burnett: Correct. There is a homeowners association that will control that section of it,
the storage unit section, and there will be an active on-site person, of course, until they
are all sold on the facility site and a property management company that will -- you
know, that helps us, obviously, sell them and, then, manages the homeowners
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association and all the rules and regulations and landscapes and all that will be included
in there, so it will all be maintained by the HOA.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you very much. Madam Clerk, do we have anybody signed
up to testify?
Lomeli: Thank you, Madam Chair. We have Brian Burnett.
Lorcher: Okay.
Lomeli: Oh, that -- Daniel Fisher.
Lorcher: Good evening, Mr. Fisher. If you could state your name and address for the
record that would be great.
Fisher: Daniel Fisher at 2382 West Apgar Creek Drive in Meridian. So, our street
Apgar Creek abuts right to the north end of the project. I live very close to the corner of
Apgar Creek Drive and the proposed through street Lolo Pass Road, which is a very
quiet residential street right now Apgar Creek Drive. I would like to pose the question
regarding the land around the Kelly Creek -- our end of Kelly Creek Subdivision, how
many times the land -- or how many acres of the land around our subdivision has
followed the city's comprehensive use map? The answer is none. All of the land that
abuts our street or on the east end -- excuse me -- the west end of our street, since it
was developed, has -- the Comprehensive Plan map has been thrown out the window.
The development agreements for Lochsa Falls have been tossed every single time.
What have we ended up with? We ended up with high density apartments at the end,
which now draws traffic down Apgar Creek Drive, which wasn't going to be a problem.
Well, guess what, the traffic is crazy and getting out on Goddard Creek Drive onto
McMillan -- I have got to speak fast because they only have three minutes -- is a
nightmare and you are going to put another street very close to Goddard Creek Drive,
which is already very tenuous getting out onto McMillan with that two way traffic and you
guys know how busy McMillan is. It is dangerous. It is absolutely dangerous. And to
put a through street to Lolo Pass onto Apgar Creek Drive with truck traffic is absolutely
insane. Now, it might not be semi-truck traffic, but you know how big a box truck can
be? Do you know how heavy a box truck can be? Pretty dang heavy and pretty dang
dangerous and they are going to feed out right onto our street Apgar Creek Drive and
they are going to go left, right, extremely dangerous. In fact, I would say reckless to
allow a through street from a business park with storage, with warehouses, with
whatever you want to call them -- man caves with -- with things going on at all hours. Is
-- it's ridiculous. It's -- it's -- we need to stick with the -- stick with the plan. Stick with
the plan. Because light office -- quiet light office -- oh, it might have a few more trips
during the day, but it's not going to be people at all hours working on cars, working on
whatever and, then, truck traffic going right out onto Lolo Pass Road -- it's -- it's just
ridiculous. It's not safe. So, I would ask you to, please -- Ms. Perreault, you made
some very good points regarding the safety and the viability of this. It's -- it's absolutely
ridiculous. So, stick with the plan. Thank you.
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Lorcher: Thank you very much. Madam Clerk?
Lomeli: Madam Chair, we have Penny Fisher.
Lorcher: Good evening. If you could state your name and address for the record that
would be great.
P.Fisher: Sure. It's Penny Fisher. 2382 West Apgar Creek Drive, Meridian. As he
stated before -- my husband stated before, we live on the corner of Apgar and Goddard.
There are two homes before you hit the proposed drive through on Lolo Pass on both
sides. So, there are four homes and it's a corner. When they -- when we were first
presented this as on site they presented the entire area being luxury condos. With --
that entrance they told us was going to be a drive through, but it would be kind of like an
emergency access to only those people with keys or -- so very limited usage and that
the main entrance would be on McMillan. So, that's how it was presented the whole
entire thing. So, we were like okay. Since that time they have now, as you can see, cut
it in half, so now we only want this. We are going to put flex spending -- or flex
commercial. They did not present it to us as commercial when we originally were
spoken on it. So, this to me I feel like is a bait and switch. Tell the landowners, the
homeowners around this area to use it, we will use condos, you know, storage units.
Since, then, even on Ten Mile -- if you go up Ten there is already another luxury condo
being built within --just around the corner and so at this point I don't think that this is the
best use of land because of the fact that the commercial is there and it will bring the
traffic directly into -- again, there is -- it's directly surrounded by homes all around it.
The west is Goddard Creek, which also is residential. We do have the commercial on
both ends, like you guys do have on the committee and as I have driven around
Meridian there is no real commercial in the middle of a residential area. I believe -- and
I could be wrong, but light office is what it's zoned for and I believe that would be the
best use is keeping it as light office, especially as that's how it was presented originally
and it's changed since it was presented to us.
Lorcher: Mrs. Fisher --
P.Fisher: Yes.
Lorcher: -- are you telling me that at the neighborhood meeting that they just had, what,
two weeks ago, they -- they didn't have it --
P.Fisher: It was not -- it was a month ago --
Lorcher: Within the last --
P.Fisher: Yeah. The first homeowners -- they presented -- they were going to do the
entire site condos.
Lorcher: Right.
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P.Fisher: There was no commercial in it and the way they presented it is the traffic
would come in from McMillan on an existing thoroughfare, because right now if you
drive in there it's -- there are some homes on that and some businesses that were there,
but it's just open, there is no -- so, really, there is no access to and from in there,
because it's just --
Lorcher: Right.
P.Fisher: -- it's dirt. So, they said they would put the main entrance onto McMillan and,
then, that -- because we were worried -- because it's -- there is homes. There is a
home, a sidewalk, the street, sidewalk and a home and so we are like asking about that
and they did prevent it -- present it to us that that would be closed off and the only
access to and from would be the people that owned the condos, but the main source
would be on McMillan.
Lorcher: And this was your last neighborhood meeting, not your --
P.Fisher: We have only had one.
Lorcher: Okay.
P.Fisher: We have only had one and that was how it was presented --
Lorcher: For this design.
P.Fisher: This design was not, no. I do have a copy of the original design. I have took
a picture of it. That was how it was presented to us. After -- I don't know how many
weeks. There are other people that will have the exact dates after we got a letter in the
mail saying that they were told that they had to change it and include the flex
commercial --
Lorcher: Okay.
P.Fisher: And that's -- so, then, they said, okay, the storage units are only going to be
on this side, not the other.
Lorcher: Right.
P.Fisher: So, when it was presented to us originally it was only condos. There was no
commercial whatsoever.
Lorcher: Okay. All right. Just wanted to clarify.
P.Fisher: Uh-huh.
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Lorcher: Commissioners, do you have any questions for Mrs. Fisher before we ask her
to sit down? All right. Thank you very much. Madam Clerk.
Lomeli: Thank you, Madam Chair. The next person signed up is Doug Pill.
Lorcher: Good evening.
Pill: Good evening, Madam Chair, Commissioners. My name is Doug Pill. I live at
4520 West Brennan in Boise. A couple of notes. I just -- I think Nancy did her -- Natalie
did a wonderful job expressing the value proposition of the project for the community.
Small business will -- will -- is needed. Meridian is -- we are identified as growing.
Whenever I attend Meridian City Chamber of Commerce meeting it's all small business.
Those are the folks that are thriving and growing in this community. Along with that I
just wanted to touch on the developer himself Brian Burnett. I have done a number of
projects with Brian throughout the Treasure Valley and here in the community. There is
no better developer. When Brian tells you he is going to do something he gets it done.
He is the best developer neighbor that I have ever dealt with in this community and
others. He listens. He goes above and beyond. City needs a four foot berm with a four
foot fence. It's going to cost him more to put in an eight foot fence, but at the end of the
day it's going to be esthetically better and so those are the types of things that he does
for his projects and his neighbors. So, thank you.
Lorcher: Thank you very much.
Lomeli: Next person signed up as Rod -- is it Ludlow?
Lorcher: Thank you for coming tonight. If you can state your name and address for the
record that would be great.
Ludlow: I will. My name is Rodney Ludlow. I'm the home owner of 2347 West Apgar
Creek Drive. Our house is located on the corner lot of Apgar and the private drive Lolo
Pass. So, that Lolo Pass will pass right adjacent to our house. I understand that
development is part of the -- is part of growing and part of the development in Meridian
is which I agree with. It should grow. My understanding for community development is
to have a soft transition from family homes to light commercial to commercial
development. This new property abuts our house. The developer of the property called
our neighborhood meeting on April 28th, 2025, and presented a preliminary
improvement plan for the 5.51 acres. The planners develop luxury storage condos,
including -- including extending the private drive of Lolo Pass from the Kelly Creek
neighborhood into this development and installing a security gate for limited access. At
that time all of the attending neighbors accepted this plan with a few minor comments
and requests. Later a letter was sent out on May 30 modifying the plan and -- that was
presented. The letter informed us that they wanted to modify the current zoning from
L-O to C-C, which accepts a much broader range of commercial business, longer
business hours, some up to 24 hours. This plan revision included extending Lolo Pass
Drive through to McMillan. I am against rezoning this property. My main concern is -- is
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the new plan extends the private drive of Lolo Pass through the new development and
connects to the main artery of McMillan Road. The point that I wanted to make sure
that was understood -- the new connection would create the fifth entrance into Kelly
Creek Subdivision, four of them connected to McMillan. If Lolo Pass were extended to
McMillan Road this connection is within 50 to 60 yards of the main subdivision entrance
on Goddard Creek, which is divided and has a water feature. My request to this Council
is to table the rezoning until the development can provide more specific plan of Lolo
Pass, its designation that -- and is designated as emergency secure access to the new
property and not connected to McMillan Road direct.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you very much.
Ludlow: Thank you.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, the next person is Ryan Shipp.
Lorcher: Good evening.
Shipp: Good evening. Ryan Shipp. 2358 West Apgar Creek Drive.
Lorcher: Okay.
Shipp: Meridian, Idaho. Bill actually hit on a lot of the points I was going to bring up.
One of the reasons we moved into this neighborhood was the family friendly -- friendly
atmosphere provided. We currently have -- I'm on the corner of Lolo Pass and Apgar
Creek. Lolo Pass being the proposed route. We currently have kids in the
neighborhood always outside playing. I have a five year old here. I have raised two
other kids in this house. I would just like to -- to point out that Apgar Creek already has
so many entrances to the main roads and adding another one isn't going to change the
traffic that's already -- or, I'm sorry, adding another one is only going to add traffic that's
already there. That's all I had.
Lorcher: Okay.
Shipp: Thank you.
Lorcher: Thank you very much for your testimony.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, the next person is Case Doorn. Sorry.
Doorn: Hello.
Lorcher: Hi.
Doorn: Good evening. Yeah. My name is case Doorn. I live at 2371 West Apgar
Creek. So, on the other corner of Apgar and Lolo and -- yeah. If I'm -- it sounds like I'm
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repeating other people it's because I am, so -- yeah. Basically Plan A was light office.
So that's great. Right? Projects all transition from residential to commercial. Low traffic
onto McMillan and in our neighborhood. Again, April 28th we had the neighborhood
meeting. It was presented as all commercial condos. We talked about the access to
Lolo. It was fire egress only. Gated. We talked about entrance into McMillan and it
was suggested that it would have that very low traffic number that they propose. But,
obviously, you can see, right, this plan changed. They added the commercial flex
space. They added the Lolo Pass throughway and based on the -- whatever approach
they are using to the traffic study there is a huge range, between six to 44. 1 would
agree there is -- traffic is already a significant issue on Goddard Creek and McMillan.
As you are on Apgar Creek we already get traffic that's merging into our neighborhood
to cut around the traffic, you know, again, just south of this neighborhood is a school
and creates significant traffic. So, what else? We talked about comments. So, any
neighborhood comments I'm sure were, hey, let's keep it light office, let's not go to
commercial. I don't know who provided any comments regarding we want more or
different commercial space in lieu of the commercial condos. Speaking for myself if --
you know, you could maybe convince the condos were all right in the original plan, but
in this plan with the mixed use commercial I -- I think it needs to be reconsidered
significantly. What else? Public comment. So, again, I would -- my comment would be
to reject this plan to actually do an actual traffic study to understand these intersections
and traffic, both from the south side and Goddard Creek. In terms of the overall site
plan, if you look at where the retail is and where the commercial space is, there is plenty
of it on all four corners of our development, on the other side of -- the other road over
there. Sorry. Not Ten Mile, but Linder. And, then, also as we look at, you know, the
map that they proposed, it was interesting that they portrayed it still as light office. So, it
wasn't shown as red. If you would zoom out more, show it all as red, you would see a
lot of red, because we have plenty of that. Let's see here. Yeah. So, in their
presentation they were talking about why this was such a great development and --
because it was going to be low traffic, low impact, light operations. As we have been
kind of digging through this, obviously, not quite true, so --
Lorcher: One question before you leave. What school is near your community?
Doorn: Well, we have --
Lorcher: Is it Willow Creek?
Doorn: There is a -- there is an elementary to the south of us in the next neighborhood
over in Bridge. Hunter.
Lorcher: Bridge. Hunter. Okay. So, that's on McMillan. And is there one north of
you?
Doorn: Yeah. There is Willow Creek in our neighborhood --
Lorcher: In your neighborhood.
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Doorn: And Sawtooth. And there is Rocky --
Lorcher: Right. those are on Linder. Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, I have Tami Hinderaker?
Lorcher: We try.
Hindraker: I'm Tami Hindraker. I'm at 5015 North Lolo Pass Way. I think it's a beautiful
project. There is need for business. This is a terrible location. If you are okay if I use
your presentation? Would that be okay? So, previous -- I don't know how to go
backwards. So, she used the word that we are book ended. This is Ten Mile. So, you
have got a major road there and you have got Linder, which is another major road.
Your book ended completely by neighborhood. So, we are talking about making a
commercial environment. In this neighborhood within three houses we have three
special needs children. We have multiple older population that has -- we have had
people walking the neighborhood with dementia that we have had to help out. The
numbers and the reality boots on the ground are never the same. I'm a veterinarian. I
can tell you that from experience. So, what -- what is going to happen with an entry on
and off -- you see a lot of accidents on that road and whether or not it says that
McMillan can handle this traffic as it is right now it cannot. It takes me three to five
minutes to get out of that neighborhood and sometimes it is an extremely sketchy turn.
We are talking about across the street directly from this you are actually taking North
Palantine Way directly into a commercial property directly sharing the road that has
immediate access to Hunter Elementary School. So, that is another huge thing for
school busses. They are running their time frames way too long to be surrounded by a
-- by houses. I have seen their -- I mean it's a beautiful project. It's not -- you know, we
have even looked into doing a project similar to this. This is not the location for it. This
is going to have an extremely detrimental -- despite good intentions this is going to be
extremely detrimental to our neighborhood and unsafe. We don't have -- this is a -- we
have already had issues with changing zoning because of it creating a massive amount
of traffic through our neighborhood. We have people standing out on the corner telling
people to slow down. We have had multiple near misses with special needs children
and now we are asking for both flex and industrial traffic. These are huge condos. It's
unreasonable to think that we are not going to have large trucks, trailers, boats pulling
through the neighborhood. Maybe it's not at a high rate, but even -- even one child
being harmed by this is too many and we are not talking about a soft transition into a
commercial zone, we are talking about literally both of the neighbors that are directly
next to that are going -- and all of us -- this is going to be the new thoroughfare and an
exit from McMillan off when there are traffic backups. So, we have those accidents.
They come off into our neighborhood to try to avoid that traffic. So, great project,
terrible location. It just can't happen. Thank you.
Lorcher: Thank you.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, I have Eric Hindraker:
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E.Hinraker: Hello. I'm Eric Hindraker. I'm also at 5015 North Lolo Pass Way. We are
just a few houses down from the proposed development. So, we are reiterating a lot of
what's already been stated. But I also am just in favor of keeping it of a soft transition.
Keeping the L-O zoning. I really want to address what the developer said about being
booked in on the -- book-ended on both sides by commercial. It is single family home
on all four sides. So, currently this is already an island. It's not commercial, but even
light office is a somewhat commercialized zoning. So, you go all the way to
commercial. It would be surrounded on four sides by single family homes and the other
thing that hasn't really come up is that self-storage is an industrial development, so they
are asking for a conditional use permit on top of their commercial zoning, which would
actually be an industrial use surrounded on all four sides by single family homes. So,
my concern -- I know there is -- there has been comments about this is not for business
use. But my main concern is that it sounds like there is no limitation on people coming
in working on cars, doing their woodworking, doing -- playing loud music if they like. I
realize there is CC&Rs, but those are more of a suggestion. I just think it's going to be
unfairly enforced by the neighbors having to file complaints. The HOA isn't going to be
monitoring at midnight. They are not going to be enforcing late into the evening, so it's
going to be up to the neighbors to be trying to enforce the rules, which I think is unfair.
Other issues. I know it's been brought up that this has lower traffic than standard
storage, but it also has roof lines that are nearly twice as tall. So, esthetically, we are
turning this into a high roof line industrial esthetic, rather than the already proposed just
lower use, earlier closing and just more esthetic L-O use and I guess as long as I have
a minute I would also just say that one of my biggest concerns is having access into the
neighborhood. So, even if this did push forward if it could be with the condition that
that's an emergency access that would definitely be my vote as well.
Lorcher: Thank you very much.
Lomeli: Madam Chair, no one else has signed up.
Lorcher: Is there anybody on Zoom that would like to make any comments? No?
Lomeli: Madam Chair, one person is online, but they are not raising their hand.
Lorcher: All right. Anybody else in Chambers that would like to make any comments?
Would the applicant like to come forward? Oh, did you raise your hand? I'm sorry.
Come on up. Sorry. Turned my head too soon. Good evening. If you could state your
name and address for the record that would be great.
Abernathy: Good evening. My name is Tiffany Abernathy and I live at 2235 West
Apgar Creek Drive. My house backs to the end where the storage units will be. I'm a --
I'm a nurse by -- I am a nurse. So, I see a lot of the things that go on and what
developments do for families. It can be great. It can bring a lot of benefits -- income for
families and that type of stuff. But I also have two children that are disabled and they
like to run out into the roads. I see people speeding down Apgar Creek all the time and
that is a huge concern and to see an increase in traffic coming in because of a
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development of businesses would be very concerning for me with two children that are
development delayed. So, I would just request that the city look at this and take into
account all aspects. Thank you.
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you very much. Anybody else in Chambers that would like to
make a public comment? Would the applicant like to come forward and --
Lomeli: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Oh. I'm sorry. One more time.
Lomeli: Someone online did raise their hand.
Lorcher: Oh, start and stop. All right. Person online if you can state your name and
address for the record.
Martinez: Hi. My name is Serge Martinez and it's 2311 West Apgar Creek Drive.
Thanks a lot for taking my concern. I would like to mention that last year as we speak I
agree with all the neighbors, who was -- had a chance to speak and give their concerns.
Last year we actually had an accident right on the Apgar Creek Drive, because of the
traffic and because of the rezoning previously we had -- we had condos right next to our
-- condo apartments next to our one single houses and as a result of avoiding the traffic
on McMillan lots of neighbors -- lots of people trying to cut their traffic and as a result
actually we were -- our car got hit actually on the right -- right on the street. So, I'm also
very concerned about the rezoning and I think it's a very bad idea to have that rezoning.
So, I would advise to keep it as a L-O zone or if it's going to be this project will go into
effect to have Lolo Pass Drive as only emergency exit. Thank you.
Lorcher: All right. Thank you. Madam Clerk, anyone else?
Lomeli: Madam Chair, no.
Lorcher: All right. Anybody else in Chambers before we ask the applicant to come
forward? I'm looking once and twice. All right. Please come on up. Thank you.
Burnett: Ryan Burnett. 1125 West Two Rivers Lane, Eagle, Idaho. 83616.
Commissioners, public, I agree with all these people who have come up here and
testified. I did submit a plan that was complete storage units at the beginning. First I --
let me take this back. I just want to go through -- oh, wait. Maybe I'm going the wrong
way. I want to go through some facts. Nope. Where is the old plan? The original plan.
The original plan of L-O zoning with the light office. You will see that they had a major
access going into the residential. That access will be there no matter if it's commercial
or not. I know one of the neighbors said that we -- it would probably be great if we had
a traffic impact study. The traffic impact study will show you, because we do have one
that we have submitted with the file, that the traffic for storage and flex space is lower
than any commercial designation. It is not an industrial designation. I'm building them
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on Highway 16 right now, which has ten times the traffic of McMillan and only two lanes.
McMillan has a center lane that you can pull out into. I have the landowner Kelly Fulfer
here that developed the entire area and has lived there for 30 years. There is actively
Superior Construction. A construction company is on this site with massive semis and
equipment until the last three, four months when we decided to do this project. So, we
are used to pulling in and out of here with massive semis. I agree with them. So, my
original plan was just storage condos. I only have one access off of Highway 16. They
did not require me, because the traffic is so low, to improve Highway 16 and/or have an
alternate second access. So, I have a fire access. So, when I came to the neighbors I
assume that the -- that ACHD would be the same as ITD and they will allow me to put --
the city would like the concept of this high end storage condos, the lowest traffic impact
that you can put on a piece of property and that I could fire restrict the access going into
the neighbors. So, that was the original plan we submitted. Through working with Nick
and the people that Nick said neighbors that did not come to my neighborhood meeting,
apparently there were several that were requesting commercial, that they thought the
area should have -- be commercial. Nick can speak to that. So, he took on many
phone calls and asked me if there was any way we would modify this project to create
some jobs and create some commercial. I believe we had -- at the beginning we even
had a nursery that wanted to go -- wanted to go in the front. So, we modified this plan
for the city. We called the city. The city said you do not need to put out a new
neighborhood meeting, because you are within the time frame, but we felt to be good
neighbors we would send out what the city was suggesting that we do to our site plan
and the ACHD with working with them said no matter what the traffic count is they did
not want fire access, because we were moving from just storage units to have some flex
place or commercial, which in the old designation or the original zoning, how it is right
now, is going to require that access to go through anyways. So, my original plan was
what I presented to these neighbors. Like Doug Pill said, I'm a man of my word. That's
what I wanted to happen to this property. That's what I think is the best use. I was only
accommodating the neighbors that called in, the city's requirements and my
requirements from the government agencies like ACHD. If we could go back to the
original site plan. If ACHD would let me fire access restrict the neighborhood and just
build condos and I could do a similar layout I would be more than fine to do that. So,
that is how we got here. But -- so, those are the facts. Everything that they have said is
true, but as I was going through the process, the government agencies -- you know,
that's what you do when you are a developer is work to try to make neighborhoods
happy, government agencies, police and fire, everybody and so that's how it morphed
into the plan that we have, with a little bit of input from everybody and we tried to do the
best plan that we could.
Lorcher: Right.
Burnett: I'm fine with going back to the original storage condos, like I have on Highway
16, with the absolute lowest impact and fire restricted access on the north. If the city
will allow that, the fire department will allow that and -- and ACHD I would be fine with
that.
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Lorcher: All right. So, stay there. Nick, do you have any comments as far as why the
plans have changed as you were in discussions with Brian?
Napoli: Yes, Madam Chair. To address some of Brian's comments, for one if this was
all storage we would be recommending denial tonight. I will put that out there, because
the L-O zone as it currently sits would create jobs and employment, which is why part of
the plan was changed. I did receive calls from several neighbors, none of which are in
attendance tonight, after the first neighborhood meeting that they had. Many of them
were not happy with more storage. On top of that our City Council has not -- not -- has
not been in favor of more storage here in the city, as we already have quite a bit.
Employment is somewhere that the city is lacking in the valley. We are the center of the
valley. Employment is extremely important to the city. The comp plan calls this as
limited office, which is why we worked with the developer to find a hybrid where we
could have some employment, as well as some of this storage. So, that's where we
ended up with the plan that we are at now. As far as with that, if it was all storage staff
would be recommending denial tonight, because it provides zero employment. So, if
that answers your question.
Lorcher: Commissioners, do we have -- oh. Go ahead, Brian.
Burnett: I -- I do believe this is the right product. There is a -- I mean just like Natalie
mentioned, we will be building flex in Star. There is a massive demand for flex for small
businesses that can't buy their own building, can't find anything to rent, they need an
office front. They are not high traffic, high impact. They are the same as office. The
storage on the right side of this is the lowest impact you could have. We do have a
traffic study. It's not industrial. I think this is a phenomenal plan. Do I wish I could
restrict the access going north into the subdivision? I do. I don't think we need it. I
think the turnaround and the traffic going onto McMillan would be fine. There is three
lanes with a center lane. So, obviously, that's a city and fire and ACHD thing. I don't
know if our traffic impact study can support that like it did for me on Highway 16, but if --
if that's -- that's the biggest concern I'm all for it.
Lorcher: In your packet ACHD wrote a letter and that I think probably satisfies their
traffic impact study. They are not going to require one. They are not going to do one,
because they already know what the impact of the volume here is, so -- but they are
also required -- requiring you not -- not requesting -- requiring you to have pull through
on Lolo Pass Lane -- or road, so --
Burnett: Regardless of what the development is.
Lorcher: Regardless. Since 2003 when Kelly Creek Subdivision came about it was
always said this road will be extended at a future time. So, that's never been a question
regardless of how the neighborhood's grown around that.
Burnett: That's correct. And I think the confusion is just the traffic. These -- this is the
lowest traffic impact, the storage units definitely. If you think about someone going F32
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those storage units will probably be utilized on Saturday and Sunday and so it is the
lowest impact. It's lower than what it is originally zoned and I think it will create less
traffic and the safety of those kids and I do not think people will use that access as
much as McMillan. It will -- I will make that entrance beautiful and make it the main
entrance and, you know, we can even -- you can kind of see on the drawing that we can
kind of stub it into where that -- that entrance looks a little bit more narrower, you put
curbs in it and people refrain from using it. So, there is certain things we can do, but I'm
definitely willing to work with ACHD and the neighbors, you know, to make it -- even
signage that maybe we can restrict it that no trucks go back there. None of the box
trucks are allowed to go -- go through there. We could put signs up. I'm willing to work
with them. Like I said, my original plan was the lowest impact on the neighbors.
Lorcher: Right. Well -- and I mean the fact that ACHD asked you to align with Palatine
Way -- you are not a straight shot. You have to kind of zigzag through your proposed
site plan in order even to get to Lolo Pass. So, it's almost like it's a secret special -- you
have to know it's there.
Burnett: Correct. You visually don't just see through the project at the -- at the other
exit, so -- and it is -- it is -- it does look smaller. It is kind of hidden in the back corner
and, you know, like I said, I do -- I do think this is a great plan. We do create the
developments. You can go look at them. Highway 16. 1 think it's absolutely beautiful
and trying to, you know, make this the best that I can and I don't agree with the traffic,
because -- well, one, I live on Eagle Road, so McMillan is great and, second, you know,
Kelly Fulfer has lived there for 30 years. His family homesteaded this property and we
have been driving semi trucks in there for 30 years until three months ago.
Lorcher: Right. Commissioners, do we have any questions for Brian?
Smith: Madam Chair, I have a question. It could also be for staff. Nick. Maybe even
Caleb. I understand the requirement from ACHD. I guess I'm curious as to why ACHD
wants that kind of through lane so close to Goddard. It feels like that's normally
something that -- of the type that they would oppose this kind of setup from my
experience. It doesn't quite -- why that was stubbed in the first place, because that
stub, it's there, but --
Napoli: Yeah. Madam Chair, Commissioner Smith, it's a good question. So, not only
ACHD, but the city code, you know, requires stub streets, which is how we get
connectivity over time throughout the city, because it has been piecemeal over a long
time is where we have gotten today. So, this stub street was stubbed here with the
concept plan as shown previously or the office development, you know, at that time,
correct, they actually show two accesses to McMillan, which nowadays definitely not, as
the traffic on McMillan has increased. But having that second access point it was
stubbed. City code does ask for those to be extended and it's actually not a public road,
it will be a private commercial drive aisle, so it won't be -- actually Lolo Pass won't be
extending as a public street. It will be private. It will be a commercial drive aisle. So, it
actually won't be a public street as it goes through their site and with that you already
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know -- when they did this in 2003, you know, the exact placement of it, the offset
requirements, those type of things, it does change with development over time and
since 2003, 22 years, you know, ACHD actually was the one that requested -- at first
the city was against the access to Palantine, after some conversations with the
developer and ACHD aligning it south with -- that access south of McMillan on Palantine
and, then, connecting it to Lolo Pass, it still requires a City Council waiver, because our
code asks for it to be restricted. Staff can't support that based off of the city code.
However, that's where we ended up and they are requesting City Council waiver for that
access to McMillan, so --
Burnett: I just have one more comment. I know that one -- the only other question I
didn't answer from a gentleman and we did have it at the neighborhood meeting -- is
that, you know, we have got houses from 24 feet to 30 feet high. These are actually
about 23 feet high. They are lower than houses. So, just in case you are worried about
your site picture, they are smaller than houses.
Lorcher: And, then, you have the canopy.
Burnett: Correct.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioner Smith.
Smith: Yeah. I have just one follow up. I just -- for my -- and I won't dig too deep on
this, because this is kind of venturing in the academic now less relative. Was Goddard
not there when this was originally stubbed or was it there -- again -- it's -- it's purely just
to me the proximity of the -- of Goddard to kind of where this connection is just seems
odd, but I can always also pick your ear outside of this application as well.
Lorcher: I'm sure Goddard was created when Kelly Creek went in in 2003, because that
was a farm -- or a construction company or whatever he was doing there for the last 30
years; right? I mean I'm just speculating. I don't know for sure, but based on what's
been happening on McMillan to me that -- that street was probably created as an
entryway, because we are -- what did you say, the family's name of Fisher --
Burnett: Fulfer.
Lorcher: Fulfers. Were already managing that land forever.
Burnett: Correct.
Smith: Nick, do you have --
Napoli: Madam Chair, Commissioner Smith, so, yeah, as far as that, correct, Goddard
Creek as you can see on the original concept plan it's actually outside of this part of
Kelly Creek Subdivision, but it was existing at the time. As far as the actual construction
date of Goddard Creek I would need to get back to you on the specific information on
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when it was constructed, but, correct, all of the landscape buffers actually on the west
side of Goddard Creek are part of the Kelly Creek neighborhood HOA's responsibility to
maintain.
Smith: Okay. Thank you.
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you. I don't mean to keep pushing this topic, but the years I have
been doing this we have allowed for emergency access only in numerous situations.
So, just trying to understand the difference. Is it because this is coming into a
commercial area, not a residential area, that that emergency access only would not be
allowed? I mean I can think of a ton of situations where that has been permitted. So, I
just want to understand that a little bit better.
Hood: Madam Chair, Commissioner Perreault, if you don't mind me giving a little stab
at that. I think some of the -- and at the heart of some of the -- even revisions that have
been talked about tonight from the original concept that the applicant brought to what
you see today is we want -- not only the jobs that Nick mentioned, but also just the
neighborhood serving types of uses. If you don't have that connectivity to the -- to the
neighborhood what we don't want is people turning left out onto McMillan to, then, turn
left into this site when they live on Apgar Creek or somewhere really close. So, that
connectivity provides access and so some of those neighborhood serving uses that I'm
hoping for, if approved, go in here. So, there is something that I can walk to to get --
again, that service that me or my family may need. So, that's the concept anyways. We
are in academia a little bit. But that's why it was put there and why we are still pushing
for that is so you don't have to push more traffic onto McMillan, you can actually access
them from the neighbors. Again, I'm hopeful that some of these folks in here will go and
use the businesses that eventually -- whether they are office uses or the proposed
businesses tonight or whoever goes in there, but that's the concept and why emergency
access doesn't really meet that requirement for having neighborhood connectivity, it's all
part of -- and if I may just two more quick things. The -- the office use here was actually
a use exception back in 2003, that that original developer asked for for that reason to
have these -- again, the concept was neighborhood serving uses and the other thing
that I will continue to address the Commission here, but also with one eye look towards
the neighbors -- it sounds like there is an existing issue out there on Apgar Creek Drive
and I can offer to help with some of that. Commissioner Smith is well aware of this, but
we work -- I work -- part of my job is to work with Ada County Highway District. They
have residential traffic calming that they can do some of that cut through volume speed
analysis. So, irregardless of what happens with this project, contact me, the Ada
County Highway District, we can have them put some hoses out, look at the existing
potential cut through and speeding issues there on Apgar and see what might happen
with that. There will -- I don't want to get into all that now and, you know, take -- take
over this meeting, but things like speed humps and things like that, but you would have
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to consent to that as a neighborhood, but they can at least start there with doing that
some -- some of that evaluation, so -- thank you.
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you. That answered my question. Thank you, Caleb.
Lorcher: Commissioner Stoll.
Stoll: This is more for Caleb or -- so, anyway, the requirement to not have an
emergency access onto Lolo Pass Way is that being required -- requested by ACHD or
Meridian staff?
Hood: Madam Chair, yeah, this might be better for Nick, Commissioner Stoll. I will
speak again from the city's perspective. I just addressed that. I do not know what is in
ACHD's staff report I'm sorry, I did not look at that.
Napoli: Madam Chair, Commissioner Stoll, it's a good question. So, yes, and I like
Caleb -- the city -- correct, it was stubbed there. We do want it as a through street.
However, it is your purview to -- if you guys want to recommend it as a fire access only
you guys can -- ultimately City Council is going to be the decision maker on that as you
guys are recommending tonight on this, but ACHD did want it as a through street as
well. So, the city -- I talked with ACHD on it. They never even contemplated as a
emergency access only, because it was a local street and there was potential that it
could have been stubbed as a continuous local street down to McMillan, but with the
proposed development continuing the local street onto that property it was better served
as a commercial drive aisle and not a local street all the way to McMillan.
Stoll: Thank you.
Lorcher: Any other questions for Brian before we close the public hearing? All right.
Thank you very much. All right. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing?
Smith: So moved.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for Meridian LUXE.
All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
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Perreault: So, I think the developer's put a lot of thought into this and tried to look at
things from every angle, which is always appreciated, because we see a lot of
developers who don't do that. So, all in all as a concept I'm -- I'm okay with the concept,
but I would prefer to recommend to City Council definitely that there is limited hours of
delivery and operation in the DA. Council can determine what that will be. Would
definitely take the applicant up on additional parking spaces as much as they are -- as
they are capable of adding, just not knowing who those end users are going to be on
the commercial condos, I think that will be beneficial. I -- I drive past the similar concept
at the corner of Linder and Ustick where they are -- there are about a thousand square
foot commercial condos there. I rarely see that parking lot full, so I am not anticipating it
being crazy. That's a very similar project to what you are going to see real estate
offices, chiropractor offices, things like that. I am not concerned -- and this is rare for
me to say -- I am not concerned about the neighborhood being able to access these. In
this particular case I don't have a problem with asking the neighbors to drive around and
get back on McMillan to access these. There is a lot of times when -- I mean I'm a big
fan of connectivity and always have been. So, my preference is to recommend to
Council that emergency access only be implemented on Lolo Pass Way if, of course,
ACHD is going to permit it. I mean we don't have control over what they will limit the
applicant on, so --
Lorcher: Okay. Thank you.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I think I'm generally aligned with Commissioner Perreault. I think -- I think the
problems that I do have or the kind of questions I do have around this development
aren't with the applicant at all, it's with the requirements from the city and ACHD and
that would exist with any development and so I'm trying to be -- you know, if I can
remove those variables -- the development on its own in -- in kind of a vacuum, if we
can kind of put it there temporarily is -- it's a pretty good project. I think it's a really good
project actually. I am not super concerned about the amount of traffic toward the
commercial -- or, sorry, toward the -- the condos, the commercial I think that's really
very highly varied, but I don't think any -- the restrictions that Nick put in place -- or staff
put in place I'm not too concerned about that. I agree with you, maybe limiting the
operating hours, you know, with things like, you know, board games -- things that were
mentioned. I'm a bit of a nerd myself and so I know board game places -- sometimes
you have a game night or something, so it's like 8:00 to 8:00 might be a little restrictive.
I more just want to say that for -- if City Council looks at the transcript or watches the
video, that, you know, there is probably a happy medium somewhere in there. So, I
don't want to be too restrictive, but I think, you know, in my mind 8:00 to 10:00 or
something like that feels more appropriate. All in all that's -- you know, leave that to City
Council. As for Lolo Pass I think listening to staff and the applicant a little bit I have
been convinced to not want it necessarily fire restricted or emergency restricted. I
would still support a motion that requested that. I think with the applicant's intention to
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try to limit the desirability of that direction and staffs point about connectivity, I don't love
that it was -- because it was an obvious -- I don't love that it was stubbed in the first
place necessarily there. Again, I don't know what I would do with a magic wand, but I
think this is kind of making the best of a -- kind of odd layout and I agree with Caleb,
have it on my notes really highlighted, ACHD traffic study traffic calming. I think there
are other issues may be happening on Apgar that can be resolved after working with
ACHD, city transportation commission, et cetera. So, I'm generally supportive of this.
The only area where I'm a little bit, you know, like -- I would like maybe some more
conversation if any of the other Commissioners give their feedback of whether or not we
want to emergency access restrict that Lolo Pass Drive.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioner Stoll.
Stoll: Yeah. Madam Chair, I like the project overall as far as the concept. I have driven
by that area for 22 years wondering what was going to happen with that location,
especially as development continued on. Now, it seems to be -- have that answer. So,
overall I like the design. I think it's needed and appropriate. I understand staffs point
on connectivity, especially given my past life and I'm very supportive of that concept,
except in this situation. Given that things have changed as far as the type of land use
or the use that's going to be -- is being proposed. I am only in favor of restricting it to
emergency access on Lolo, so my vote that's going to have -- that's going to be a
requirement. I also would encourage staff not to wait for the neighborhood to request
your -- request of ACHD to do their studies. Let's just get it done and look at it. I have
heard enough testimony that there is problems there. So, that's my thoughts.
Lorcher: Okay. Mr. Garrett, any thoughts?
Garrett: Yeah. I'm -- generally I like the concept. I'm not as concerned about the fire
exit or the regular exit. These -- the uses are very limited in daytime uses and as going
to -- being the owner of a storage condo I see it once a month. So, I just don't see
those types of things being heavy -- heavy impact on the neighborhood. As far as the
other uses on the flex space, I can't speak to that. I just have to go with what the
industry studies are. But I think that from the concept I don't have any problems with it
at all. I know that -- I drive on McMillan on a regular basis and I know the traffic. Hell,
where isn't traffic bad in Meridian now. It's a fact of life and -- but we all know that we
don't want freeways everywhere either, so I mean we just have to live with it and -- and
do the best we can.
Lorcher: As far as my thoughts are concerned, the -- as Brian said, the lowest impact of
-- of commercial use you can have are these storage condos and when you go to City
Council, because of their aversion to storage in general, you might want to come up
with some different words. You know, they are luxury suites that are different than
going to Store-It; right? You are not having people put their stuff in. If somebody's
spending 350,000 dollars on a storage unit they are not putting their grandma's furniture
in there for, you know, a couple of months. So, it's a little bit different concept. Thank
you for creating landscape and buffers between Apgar and the -- and the facility. I like
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Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
October 16,2025
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the fact that Palatine or Palatine Way is not a straight shot. I disagree with my fellow
Commissioners, I do think it should be open access, because I don't like taking left
turns. So, in order for me -- if I'm in Kelly Creek I would have to come out to Goddard,
then, come out to McMillan and take a left if I was going to use any of this flex space or
be a fancy person and get one of these storage unit or condo suites or I would have to
go all the way to Linder and come around. This gives the opportunity for the people
within not only your street, but your entire community to be able to use these services.
It might be a dentist, it might be an orthodontist, it might be Edward Jones, it might be a
cabinet builder or an interior designer. It's not going to be In-N-Out. It's not going to be
a drive-through. It's not -- if it's -- maybe we can keep it open for 10:00 o'clock so that
Commissioner Smith can play Dungeons and Dragons all night, so -- but I -- you have to
be careful what you wish for, because if another concept comes in here that might
create more volume, then, the conversation we are having tonight gets even greater.
This developer so far has -- is willing to do what it takes to make sure that your
neighborhood is safe, that your neighborhood is esthetically appealing, that it's going to
limit their accessibility to it, but also be able to have you use the services that are
provided as well. There is -- the frontal facings of storage units have gotten much more
sophisticated. I was driving down Ustick today, I think there was one that had like a
nice kind of gray wall with beautiful trees in front of it and you wouldn't even know if it
was there if the words weren't on the side of the road. So, we are going to make a
motion tonight and this will go to City Council, so you will have a chance to voice your
concerns again. So, this is not their final step of all of these things and in between that
time the developer will work with the city to be able to come up with a plan and all of
that information is public on our website, so you can be able to see those changes as
they go through the process. So, does anybody have a motion?
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: More statements regarding the fencing. My preference would be a four foot
berm -- berm with a four foot fence, rather than an eight foot fence. I just think there is
also some security that that adds. It does give, in my opinion, a better look to the -- you
know, there is the 25 foot landscape there, but it just makes it look -- look a little bit, you
know, nicer. It's not a hill I'm going to die on, but that's -- that would be my preference
and recommendation. And I do agree with you about City Council's aversion to storage
condos. There are five storage -- or, excuse me, five storage unit facilities within a mile
and a half of this location.
Lorcher: Right.
Perreault: So, it's very concentrated there. So, thank you for that.
Lorcher: Yeah. I don't think developers would build them if there wasn't a need for
them either. So, our community continues to grow and we all have too much stuff, so I
guess we need storage, so -- would anybody like to make a motion?
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Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
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Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: After considering all staff, applicant and public testimony, I move to
recommend approval to the City Council of File No. H-2025-0035 as presented in the
staff report for the hearing date of October 16th, 2025, with the following modifications
and recommendations. To consider limiting the hours operation or delivery within the
DA at City Council's determination. To require the applicant to add additional parking
where possible. And to discuss the possibility of closing off the Lolo Pass Way entrance
on the north side and create emergency access only entrance and, then, recommend
that there be a four foot berm with a four foot fence on that residential boundary.
Garrett: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve File No. H-2025-0035 to City
Council. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you for all
coming tonight. I encourage your president of your HOA to get a hold of the City of
Meridian to talk about mitigation for traffic along Apgar Way or Creek, so that your
neighborhood can continue to be safe. Thank you.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
5. Public Hearing for Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment (CPAT) (H-
2025-0045) by City of Meridian Planning Division, located City Wide
A. Request: Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment (CPAT) to Adopt
by reference the Ada County Emergency Medical Service Capital
Improvement Plan and Development Impact Fee Study (May 24,
2024) and the Ada County Jail Capital Improvement Plan and
Development Impact Fee Study (May 24, 2024), Adopt by
reference the City of Meridian Development Impact Fees Study
(September 16, 2022) and Amended Capital Improvements Plan as
incorporated therein, Amend the "List of Adopted Plans and Studies
by Reference" including minor cleanup and ensure the most current
adopted plans and studies are referenced and Amend "Appendix A.
Glossary of Terms" to add//modify language.
Lorcher: All right. We have one more item on the agenda tonight, which is H-2025-
0045. It's a Comprehensive Plan text amendment from the City Planning Division and
as soon as Carl is ready we will begin.
Anderson: All right. Good evening, Madam Chair --
Lorcher: Good evening.
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Anderson: -- Members of the Commission. My name is Carl Anderson. I'm a long
range associate planner here at the City of Meridian. Tonight before you I have a -- I'm
presenting a city-initiated text amendment to the city's Comprehensive Plan and I will
briefly cover the four items that are contained within this request. So, the first item
before you is an adoption -- the city is recommending to adopt Ada county's capital
improvement plan and development impact fee studies from 2024 for EMS and jail
services. The city has been working with Ada county as they are going through their
process to conduct their capital improvement plan development impact fee studies.
This is an item that was presented before City Council on June 17th by city staff
outlining what that process would look like. This is, essentially, that step to be -- that's
outlined in the memo that's attached to your staff report with an attachment B1. So, this
is the public hearing that would be required to adopt these capital impact fees and
development impact fees into the City of Meridian's Comprehensive Plan, so that the
city can collect development impact fees on behalf of Ada county for these services as
identified. Idaho Code requires that if we are going to be collecting impact fees that
these documents be included within the Comprehensive Plan. I will back up really
quick. So, this table here does show what some of those impact fees would be. This
does not -- this would not be the final step in the city's process to collect those impact
fees. An ordinance would need to be adopted by the city and once that is -- that stuff's
complete, then, the authorizing authority would be there to collect those impact fees.
The second item here is to adopt by reference the City of Meridian's development
impact fees and capital improvement plan. Similarly under Idaho State Code for entities
that conduct comprehensive planning under Idaho State Code, they need to incorporate
these documents within the city's Comprehensive Plan in order to collect development
impact fees. Should this item and the previous item just discussed be recommended for
approval they would be included in the city's list of adopted plans or incorporated plans
and studies by the City of Meridian and within the table which I will cover here next. So,
the third item that the city is recommending amendment to -- some of this is grants,
some of these are items that were presented to the Commission earlier this year when
we are amending the city's area of city impact and I will go over those. Some new ones
are -- the first here is to amend the title from adopted to incorporated. It's a little bit of
semantics, but this is, in essence, not for those plans or studies that may not be
necessarily adopted, but are referenced herein and are incorporated and necessary for
the city's planning efforts, but still included. On the city's side we are looking at
potentially updating some city's websites to track those resolution numbers for when
those items are adopted and tracking them in that manner. Additionally we are
recommending adding a note to city lead planning efforts to ensure most recent version
plan or study is what has been included in the city's Comprehensive Plan, so that we
are not necessarily having to conduct a Comprehensive Plan text amendment for every
single one of those items once a new plan is amended. That note is added to those city
led documents and so it's referring to the most recent version as adopted, which would
be by resolution and so the way that would work is that -- as we are doing now when we
have kind of a list of them we bring them all forward to clean that up in the future.
Additionally -- so, this is similar to what we talked about earlier this year, but adopt --
update the reference -- excuse me -- update the reference, the most current plans or
studies, within that table. So, we are referring to the most recent plans. There are
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Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
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several items that are underlying and strike through in your attachments showing what
the most current version of those items are. We are adding four new ones for you. First
one here being Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, City of Meridian planning
document here led by the Public Works Department from 2018. Again, City of
Meridian's development impact fee study would be included, as well as Ada County
EMS and jail capital improvement plans and development impact fee studies. Future
additions that the Commission may see are the addition and update to the eastern
Treasure Valley election plan. The plan still makes reference to the prior version.
There is a more recent version. Part of the reason that this has not been recommended
to be brought forward at this time is this is something that the staffs understanding is
that Council has not yet had their eyes on and staff's recommendation that once the
Council has had an opportunity to review those changes, then, it be brought forward
before being brought into the plan. Similarly, Meridian City Council is working with
Meridian Development Corporation, MDC, on the update to their development
Destination Downtown plan. It's possible that when that effort is complete that we
would, then, come back and update the plan as well. But the version that we are still
referencing is the prior version of the destination downtown plan. Also you will notice
that one of those is being deleted -- there were duplicates of this item, so we are
deleting the duplicate. And, finally, as again some housekeeping here, but amending
the glossary as attached to the Comprehensive Plan. The first item here is adding a
clarification to the capital improvement program. So, the capital improvement program
the language program I do believe is some of vestigial prior efforts towards capital
improvement planning referred to this as program and I believe this is a carry forward
from higher comprehensive plans. You will notice in the staff report that while it was not
noticed this way, the Commission may wish to amend the language program to plan to
be consistent with both state code and the language that we are proposing here today
as well. That would need -- if the Commission is desirous of doing -- so, you would
need to include that within your motion. But the text that's being added is the City of
Meridian refers to capital improvement plan as the comprehensive financial plan. That's
a practice that is reflected in the -- excuse me -- in the attachment for the city's
development impact fees and amended capital impact fees and, finally, we are adding a
reference for impact fees. This was pulled from the city's development back fee study
to be consistent with those planning documents and also to provide reference for what
impact fees are and what they do. All noticing requirements for tonight's application
have been met. Staff has not received any public comment, either written or phone call,
and the agency comments that have been received were from Public Works
Department and they are not opposed to this request. With that I'm happy to stand for
questions that the Commission may have. Staff is recommending approval of the
proposed Comprehensive Plan text amendment and --
Lorcher: Commissioners, do we have any questions or -- questions or comments for
Carl?
Perreault: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
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Perreault: Could you go back to the last slide and am I reading correctly -- oh, sorry.
The next one. Am I reading correctly that the CFP is the vehicle being used to identify
the capital improvement program -- essentially CFP is the vehicle that's being used,
right, to -- to make those determinations. I mean I understand what the CFP is, but am I
understanding this correctly that there isn't another document called the capital
improvement program and that it would just be the CFP that would be linked to this and
how does that work, because the CFP is constantly changing, so is it -- is it being
adopted? I mean typically we don't adopt the CFP as an -- as an actual financial tool at
budget time. So, how is that going to work?
Anderson: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair, Commissioner Perreault. So, this is staffs
understanding -- and my institutional knowledge is somewhat, but when reviewing the
documents that was adopted by ordinance for the development impact fee study and
capital improvement plan amendments for the city, it does make reference to the
practice that the City of Meridian does operate under, which is our capital financial plan
also serves as the capital improvement plan. I don't know -- and this is where Caleb
may jump in here as well to provide some clarification. But the document that would be
adopted within the comprehensive plan is the attachment, not the necessarily regularly,
as you mentioned, amended CFP.
Hood: Madam Chair, Commissioner Perreault -- and, Commissioner Perreault, I would
almost put it the other way. It's just hard. It's just -- yeah, I said it, just do stuff. I would
almost state it the other way. So, our CFP has more than the CIP for the impact fees;
right? But we put the CIP in our CFP, but it has things that change on a yearly basis
based on department needs and whatnot. So, the CFP is larger than the CIP. The CIP,
though, is incorporated as part of the CFP is how I would phrase that I guess.
Smith: Madam Chair?
Lorcher: Commissioner Smith.
Smith: I apologize if this is -- I just -- my blood sugar's low or something. But the
terminology capital improvement program to plan, could you -- could you just kind of
clarify. Is it -- has it been the improvement program and you were asking if we want to
change that plan to conform with the other language?
Anderson: Thank you, Madam Chair, Commissioner Smith. So, in order to be
consistent with all the other terminology, because there are several running around,
vetting it again we would have changed program to plan. We missed it and it was not
noticed that way. We would recommend changing it -- program to plan in order to be
consistent with the practice and also with state code. Program I do believe is from prior
practice.
Lorcher: Okay. Commissioners, any other questions?
Perreault: Madam Chair?
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Meridian Planning&Zoning Commission
October 16,2025
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Lorcher: Commissioner Perreault.
Perreault: Is there -- is this done at regular intervals? Is there -- is there planned
intervals at which these are -- that we are updating the CFP or the -- comp plan and
adding these? Is it because we are like, you know, 2025 and we did it five years ago
and we have five more years, is that kind of the timing of this? But there is, obviously,
some documents that have a couple years age. So, I'm just curious the timing.
Hood: Madam Chair, Commissioner Perreault, no, there isn't a true -- timing is just sort
of as needed. In fact, Carl's working on the next one now, so you will probably see
something here in the next -- next year sometime anyways. You know, the county's
requests kind of -- some of these are a little more administrative kind of cleanup things
that probably wouldn't have risen to the level of a separate standalone application, but
it's like, well, while we are at it let's just go ahead and sort of add these other scrivener
type of cleanup things to the Comprehensive Plan. We do look at and have a program,
though, internally with all departments to send the applicable policies in the
Comprehensive Plan annually. Here are the policies in the comp plan. Is this still what
you are doing, what we should be doing? Do we need to look at updating any of them?
So, there is a calendar to this, but we don't have a set schedule of when we do comp
plan text amendments.
Lorcher: All right. To move forward. Carl, you are the applicant in this particular
scenario; correct?
Anderson: Yes, Madam Chair, that's correct.
Lorcher: So, we are in public testimony. Madam Clerk, is there anybody else that are
in Chambers that wish to testify?
Lomeli: Thank you, Madam Chair.
Lorcher: Or on Zoom?
Lomeli: No one has signed up.
Lorcher: Okay. So, were there any follow-up thoughts that you wanted to provide
before we close the public hearing?
Anderson: No, Madam Chair. Thank you.
Lorcher: All right. May I get a motion to close the public hearing, please?
Garrett: So moved.
Smith: Second.
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Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to close the hearing for the Comprehensive
Plan text amendment --
Hood: Madam Chair, sorry to interrupt. I don't know if they want to say anything, but --
Lorcher: I looked at them and they didn't --
Hood: They would nod -- they shook their head? Okay. Sorry to interrupt.
Lorcher: Is it good? Okay. It's been moved and seconded to close the public hearing
for the Comprehensive Plan text amendment. All those in favor say aye. Any
opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Lorcher: I think this is an administrative tool to be able to comply with things as they
change in our city and impact fees and programs and plans and to keep the language
all together. I'm -- you know, you said this is the first step. It goes to City Council after
this to -- to go forward. I don't see any challenges in here that were obvious that would
make me not want to approve this amendment.
Garrett: I concur.
Lorcher: So, with that did you want to say anything?
Smith: You are good.
Lorcher: Okay. So, after considering all staff, applicant and public testimony I move to
recommend File No. H-2025-0045 as presented during the hearing of October 16th with
no changes.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to --
Smith: Madam Chair? I think there was the request to change program to plan for
language conformity.
Lorcher: It was in the -- wasn't it in the --
Smith: Sorry to interrupt the motion, I just wanted to make sure we -- again, sorry,
maybe I'm --
Lorcher: It was in the report, wasn't it?
Smith: It was in, but we were asked to because it wasn't noticed of--
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Lorcher: Okay. Considering all staff, applicant and public testimony I move to
recommend File No. H-2025-0045 as presented during the hearing of October 16th,
with the request to change plan -- program to plan to conform to other documents
published.
Stoll: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to approve the text amendment. All those in
favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
Lorcher: I will take one more motion.
Stoll: Move to adjourn.
Smith: Second.
Lorcher: It's been moved and seconded to adjourn. All those in favor say aye. Any
opposed? Motion carries. Thank you very much, everyone.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. TWO ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:00 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS. )
APPROVED
11 106 12025
MARIA LORCHER - CHAIRMAN DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK
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